Apparatus for making variegated soap base

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for producing striated soap, including a manifold arrangement mounted on a plodder cone and having internal projections extending into the cone for discharging a second soap into a first soap mass being forced through the cone toward an extrusion nozzle.

United States Patent [191 Perla Dec.2, 1975 1 1 APPARATUS FOR MAKINGVARIEGATED SOAP BASE [75] Inventor: Giulio Perla, Rome, Italy [73]Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company, New

York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: June 5, 1974 [21] Appl. No: 476,477

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 5, 1973 Italy 50733/73 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,294,692 12/1966 Kelly et a1425/131.1 X

3.606.636 9/1971 Glass et a1. 425/l3l.1

3,709,645 1/1973 Mraz l 425/19 3,779,676 12/1973 Bernard..... 425/131 13,792,945 2/1974 Randall 425/13 3,823,215 7/1974 DArcangelL. 425/l3l.1 X3,884,605 5/1975 Grclon 425/376 X Primary E.raminer-Robert D. BaldwinAssistant E.raminerMark Rosenbaum Attorney, Agent, or FirmKenneth A.Koch, Esq.; Herbert S. Sylvester, Esq.; Mlurray M. Grill, Esq.

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for producing striated soap, including amanifold arrangement mounted on a plodder cone and having internalprojections extending into the cone for discharging a second soap into afirst soap mass being forced through the cone toward an extrusionnozzle.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 2 U Patet Dec. 2, 1975 -U.S,Patsm Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,923,438

APPARATUS FOR MAKING VARIEGATED SOAP BASE This invention relates toapparatus for the manufacture of striped soap, and the resultantproduct, and is particularly directed to the manufacture of compositesoap bars wherein a body of a first or main soap has a plurality ofsurface imbedded bodies of a different soap or soaps presenting adistinct striped appearance.

Apparatus and method for the manufacture of striped soap have beenproposed, as for example in the patents to W. A. Kelley et al, US. Pat.No. 3,268,970; 3,294,692; and 3,398,219.

The present invention distinguishes over known prior art in thatincorporation of different soaps into a composite mass embodying thedesired surface striping takes place in a region wherein the mass isundergoing uniform radial compression, and this has been found to beadvantageous in the production of soap bars of superior appearance andresistance to separation of the different soaps during useful life. TheUS. Pat. to Garvey et al. No. 2,296,842 discloses the extrusion ofindicia forming soap streams within a main body of soap being forcedthrough a plodder cone, but this does not produce striped soap.

The invention further includes the advantage that the plastic soapsbeing incorporated into the composite mass being radially compressed areof substantially the same beta phase content.

Other advantages of the invention are concerned with novel structure forcarrying out the foregoing, particularly a novel manifold arrangementmounted on the plodder cone and having internal projections extendinginto the cone for discharging a second soap or soaps into a first soapcolumn being forced along the cone toward an extrusion nozzle, as wellas arrangements for providing substantially uniform soap pressure in theannular manifold space.

FIG. 1 is a mainly diagrammatic view showing the invention according toa preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a section substantially on line 22 of FIG. 1 showing themanifold and second soap discharge arrangements;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section substantially on line 33 in FIG. 2further showing manifold structure;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section substantially on line 4-4 in FIG. 2showing further manifold structure;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the nature of the compositesoap mass in the cone;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic cross section of the extruded composite soaplog showing the approximate stripe distribution;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view partly in section showing a furtherembodiment having a divider plate at the intake to an eccentricmanifold;

FIG. 8 is a section substantially on line 8-8 of FIG. 7 showing soapflow control; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view in section showing an embodiment whereinthe manifold is secured between I the end of the plodder barrel and thecone.

FIG. 1 shows mainly diagrammatically a conventional type soap plodder 11wherein milled soap is compressed and compacted by a rotating worm l2and forced through a terminal converging cone 13 from which it isdischarged through extrusion nozzle 14 as a continuous bar. Theextrusion nozzle imparts the desired shape and cross section to theextruding bar, usually rectangular or circular. Except as will appearthis plodder construction may be for example similar to that disclosedin Compa et al. US. Pat. No. 3,485,905.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cone 13 intermediate its ends issurrounded by a hollow annular manifold member 15 that is fixed to thecone. Member 15 is formed with a circumferentially spaced plurality ofradially inwardly extending closed rear and side projections 16 thatextend fluid tight through apertures 17 in the wall of cone 13 and areformed with front discharge openings 18 that open toward extrusionnozzle 14. As shown in FIG. 3 the radially outer edges of openings 18are preferably flush with the smooth inner surface 24 of the cone.Member 15 may be made in two semicircular parts secured together along adiametral plane.

A second source of soap is indicated at 21 in FIG. 1. This may compriseanother plodder assembly or any device wherein soap is worked undercontrolled pressure and moisture content conditions and discharged as acontinuous column through a conduit 22 which (FIG. 2) is connected todischarge into the annular space 23 within manifold 15.

In operation a continuous solid column of the first or main soap inplastic condition is forced by the worm 12 through cone 13. This column.flows around the closed rear and side walls of projections 16, therebyeffectively forming outwardly open relatively deep longitudinal furrowsopen outwardly at the periphery of the first soap column. At the sametime a plurality of streams of the second soap in plastic condition arecontinuously discharged downstream through nozzles 18 into those furrowsand become embedded in the moving column of the first soap, therebyeffectively depositing and imbedding longitudinal stripes of the secondsoap upon and along the first soap column. The soaps are preferably ofdifferentcolor.

During the time that the second soap streams are being incorporated withthe first soap column, the entire composite mass is slidably supportedby the smooth conical inner surface 24 of cone l3 and is uniformlyradially compressed up to the point it is extruded at 14. FIG. 5diagrammatically illustrates a cross section of the composite massmoving along the cone downstream of manifold 15. The radially outersurface of each second soap stream slides along the cone wall 24 whilethe unsupported radially inner surface of each second soap stream seeksthe bottom of the furrow in the main soap column.

Since the radially outer surface of each second soap stream is insliding contact with cone surface 24 the reducing cone diameter resultsin the second soap streams being positively forced radially deeper intotheir respective furrows. At the same time the second soap streams arebeing laterally compressed within the furrow sides or for a time withinconverging lateral extensions of the manifold openings as will appear inFIGS. 8 and 9.. As a result extremely good surface engagement is ensuredbetween the main soap column and the sides and inner ends of each secondsoap stream while the outer surface of each second soap stream remainsin contact with the smooth cone surface at the same level as theadjacent first soap column periphery.

It has therefore been found that by locating the reglon of incorporationof the stripe forming streams into the main soap column so that bothduring incorporatron and for an appreciable period thereafter thecomposite mass is subjected to uniform radial compression a bettersurface bond is attained between the first soap column and the stripeforming streams of the second soap.

The compression brings the stream and furrow surfaces into full surfacecontact so that there are no voids, and the contacting surfaces arebetter adhesively bonded.

Preferably the streams of second soap entering the furrows of the firstsoap move at about the same linear velocity as the first soap column,and the two soaps have about the same plasticity.

It has been found particularly advantageous if the first and secondsoaps have the same beta phase content, as this combination results inbetter surface bonding of the stripes with the central soap column.

The radial depth of the longitudinal stripes and their spacing width andshape may be determined by the number, shape and size of projections 16and openings 18.

It has been noted that where space 23 is of uniform size all around thecone and there is only one second soap inlet as shown in FIG. 1, theremay be sufficient drop in pressure in the second soap that the secondsoap streams exiting from the openings 18 that are more remote from theconnection from the space 23 to conduit 22 may not contain the sameamount of soap as those closer to conduit 22, thus resulting in somenon-uniformity in the striping appearance. This may be advantageous forcertain purposes, but for better uniformity a second conduit from source21 may be con nected to space 23, for example about 180 from the pointshown in FIG. 1, with the result that there will be a more equalpressure distribution along the second soap in space 23.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrates another mode of combining the soaps at themanifold. Here the manifold 31 is integrally formed upon an intermediatepart of cone 13 and, as shown in FIG. 7 has a tubular second soap intakeconduit 32 connected to one side thereof while the opposite closed side33 is eccentric to the cone axis and defines an enlarged manifold space34 at 180 from the intake. At its juncture with the manifold wallconduit 32 is faired to provide smooth transition surfaces 35 and,between the transition surfaces and at the inner end of conduit 32 iscentrally disposed a soap divider plate 48 of te ardrop or likestreamline contour to oppositely divert opposite sides of the soapcolumn of conduit 32 to flow around opposite sides of the manifoldtoward space 34. As in the other embodiments conduit 32 is connected toprovide a continuous supply of the second, usually colored, soap.

Manifold 31 is formed similarly to the earlier embodiment, withcircumferentially spaced hollow projections 36 radially outwardly opento the interior of the manifold as indicated at 37 in FIG. 7 andprojecting as nozzles into the cone in the path of the column of thefirst soap where they are open downstream as indicated at 38 todischarge into the first soap which is passing centrally of the cone andbetween the nozzles. The combination of the divider plate and theeccentric space 34 aids in providing substantially equal supply ofsecond soap to all nozzles.

Also as shown in FIG. 8 wherein flow of the first soap is indicated insolid line arrows and the second soap flow in dotted line arrows thereis preferably provided at the end of cone 13 prior to extrusion anannular internal surface 39 that is concave in the upstream directionand effects a smooth progressive change in the reduction of thecomposite soap column prior to extrusion. Preferably surface 39 issurrounded by water jackets 41 for cooling the extruding soap surfaces.

Also shown in FIG. 8 the side walls of each of the projections 36 arelongitudinally extended interiorly of the cone to form lateral guidesand retainers 42 and 43 for the soap streams issuing from openings 38.These guides are disposed on opposite sides of the furrows in the mainsoap column and may extend almost to surface 39 if desired. Thus eachsecond soap stream emerging from the manifold is for a time positivelycontained and guided by the lateral extensions 42 and 43 while beingfree at their upper and lower surfaces to engage the cone wall and thebottom of a furrow in the main soap column respectively.

Following extrusion the soap column 40 issuing from nozzle may be cutinto bar sizes and compressed in the direction of the grain of extrusionto final condition.

The manifold through which the second soap streams are introduced intothe main soap at the cone may be a separate surrounding member asillustrated in FIGS. 13, it may be formed integral with the cone wall asillustrated in FIG. 8, or it may be an intermediate separate partsecured between the end of the plodder barrel and the cone asillustrated in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 9 the manifold 15 which is preferably internallysimilar in structure to the manifold 15 'shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is anannular hollow member having opposite side walls removably attached bysuitable fastening devices to flanges 44 and 45 on the plodder barreland cone 13 respectively. The mode of operation in the apparatus of FIG.1A is essentially the same as described for FIGS. 1-8.

In this embodiment the converging side wall extensions of theprojections 16, indicated at 46 and 47 are relatively long, extendingsubstantially the interior length of the cone but terminatingsufficiently short of surface 39 to permit the sides of the second soapstreams to be compressed tightly in full surface engagement within themain soap column furrows.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

ll. Apparatus for the continuous production of striped soap comprising aterminal cone of a soap plodder having an internal conical passagewayand a series of circumferentially spaced apertures in its surface, anextrusion nozzle mounted at the smaller end of said passageway, meansfor feeding a solid column of a first soap in plastic condition underpressure through said passageway in a direction toward said extrusionnozzle, depositing means in the path of said solid column providing aplurality of circumferentially spaced downstream facing openings fordepositing and imbedding streams of a different soap or soaps in plasticcondition within and along the periphery of said column to form aslidably moving composite soap mass within said passageway, saiddepositing means including an annular manifold disposed externallyaround said cone and having a series of substantially radial projectionsextending inwardly at said cone apertures, said downstream facingopenings being on the inner ends of said projections, said soap massbeing substantially uniformly radially compressed during movement alongsaid passageway.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said openings are disposedto discharge said streams into sliding contact with the surface of saidpassage and said column slidably contacts said passage surface betweensaid streams.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said means providing saiddownstream facing openings in an annular manifold having an inlet forintroducing said different soap and a plurality of internal projectionsthat extend into said passage and are formed with said openings withinthe passage adjacent said passage surface.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 3, wherein said manifold encloses anannular soap distribution space that increases in cross section awayfrom the connection between said inlet and said space.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 3,,wherein there is provided in themanifold inleta divider plate for directing portions of the incomingstream of said different soap to flow around opposite sides of themanifold.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein an annular upstream facingconcave surface is provided interiorly surrounding the open small end ofthe cone.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said means providing saiddownstream facing openings comprises lateral downstream extensions forconfining and guiding each of said different soap streams for apredetermined distance.

8. The apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein said lateral extensions areconverging plates one at each side of each opening.

1. Apparatus for the continuous production of striped soap comprising aterminal cone of a soap plodder having an internal conical passagewayand a series of circumferentially spaced apertures in its surface, anextrusion nozzle mounted at the smaller end of said passageway, meansfor feeding a solid column of a first soap in plastic condition underpressure through said passageway in a direction toward said extrusionnozzle, depositing means in the path of said solid column providing aplurality of circumferentially spaced downstream facing openings fordepositing and imbedding streams of a different soap or soaps in plasticcondition within and along the periphery of said column to form aslidably moving composite soap mass within said passageway, saiddepositing means including an annular manifold disposed externallyaround said cone and having a series of substantially radial projectionsextending inwardly at said cone apertures, said downstream facingopenings being on the inner ends of said projections, said soap massbeing substantially uniformly radially compressed during movement alongsaid passageway.
 2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein saidopenings are disposed to discharge said streams into sliding contactwith the surface of said passage and said column slidably contacts saidpassage surface between said streams.
 3. The apparatus defined in claim1, wherein said means providing said downstream facing openings in anannular manifold having an inlet for introducing said different soap anda plurality of internal projections that extend into said passage andare formed with said openings within the passage adjacent said passagesurface.
 4. The apparatus defined in claim 3, wherein said manifoldencloses an annular soap distribution space that increases in crosssection away from the connection between said inlet and said space. 5.The apparatus defined in claim 3, wherein there is provided in themanifold inlet a divider plate for directing portions of the incomingstream of said different soap to flow around opposite sides of themanifold.
 6. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein an annularupstream facing concave surface is provided interiorly surrounding theopen small end of the cone.
 7. The apparatus defined in claim 1, whereinsaid means providing said downstream facing openings comprises lateraldownstream extensions for confining and guiding each of said differentsoap streams for a predetermined distance.
 8. The apparatus defined inclaim 7, wherein said lateral extensions are converging plates one ateach side of each opening.